Buliisa is the latest district in Uganda to record the highest number of teenage pregnancies, something that is not only embarrassing but also disturbing to the leaders.
Information at the Health Department indicates that between January and March 2023 a total of 417 out of the 1898 pregnancies recorded in the district are of underage girls.
Dr. Alex Afeti, the acting District Health Officer says the number of young girls getting pregnant is overwhelming.
There is a likelihood of the numbers being far higher than reported since some of them did not go for antenatal services.
‘’The district rate is at around 22%, and teenage pregnancy cases are attributed to poor parenting attitudes and high poverty levels among the people. Parents need to have a mindset change, especially by taking care of their children,’’ he said.
The Buliisa District Community Development Officer, Benard Barugahara, attributed the problem to the social, economic and cultural behaviors of some families, saying there are some families that do encourage girls to go for marriage immediately after the adolescent stage.
Barugahara added that some families look at marriage as a source of economic returns.
“Some families look at marriage as a source of economic returns,’’ he blamed.
